Motorsport: Confident Scott chases third NZV8 title

Champion Kayne Scott believes there will be more depth at the front of the NZV8 series this season. Photo / Dean Purcell

Motorsport New Zealand's summer series of racing fires up this weekend at Pukekohe for the first outing of the six-round series.

Now in its 10th season, the ever-popular NZV8 series has had a facelift this year. Qualifying and a top 10 shootout are today and all three races will be held tomorrow and screened live on TV3.

There are five former champions in the NZV8 field, headed by defending champion Kayne Scott, who will be looking to grab a third title. Fellow two-time champion John McIntyre will be eyeing the chance to knock Scott off his throne after finishing second to him last season.

"We've had some great off-season testing and I've got to say there's really nothing new for us," said Scott. "At the end of last season we felt we were pretty dominant. For us it's a matter of putting a complete season together and not dropping the ball.

"I think the depth at the front of the field this season is going to be closer than ever before. It's conceivable that we could have a different round winner at every race."

Also in with a chance will be Queensland-based Kiwi driver and Jim Clark Trophy winner, Craig Baird. Originally from Hamilton, the vastly experienced Baird was a surprise package in his debut season in the big taxis when he quickly adapted to the agricultural NZV8, as opposed to the Australian V8 Supercars he's driven in the past.

Baird will be especially keen to take out the championship this season, as it's the only New Zealand motor racing title he's contested and yet to win.

The Ford drivers may not have it all their own way as they can expect a determined assault from the Holden camp. Former champions Andy Booth, Paul Manuell and Andrew Anderson, have pooled their resources and technical data in an effort to get one over on the Ford frontrunners.

Another regular race winner and serious contender, Angus Fogg, will be hoping this is his year to nail an elusive championship.

"We're quietly confident we can get the title this time," said Fogg. "We've shown we've got the speed and now we've got to be more consistent, stay out of trouble and turn that into points."

There are also a number of drivers in with a good chance of setting the cat among the pigeons including returning Australian and part-time Supercar V8 driver David Besnard, Tim Edgell, Eddie Bell, who had a good 2008-09 season, and former New Zealand Grand Prix winner Andy Knight.

Newcomers to the series are former New Zealand Formula Ford champion John Whelan and top single-seater campaigner Christina Orr, who will be driving a Ford and Holden respectively.

While the V8 racing will be fast and furious, the Porsche GT3 Cup will have the fans on the edge of their seats.

This class has, for a number of years, been Baird's to lose but this time around he's got some stiff competition from the likes of Matt Halliday, Jonny Reid, Daniel Gaunt and Mitch Cunningham.